At Interpack 2026, Beckhoff is showcasing how PC-based control can be used to implement sustainable packaging processes that save resources and energy. The presentation at the trade fair will focus on intelligent product transport, control cabinet-free automation, and AI-supported engineering, which together are taking machine design flexibility to a new level and achieving significant efficiency gains across the entire value chain.
The growing demand for resource savings, cost efficiency, reduced complexity, and shorter time to market requires flexible and scalable machine architectures. Beckhoff’s response to this trend includes innovative transport solutions precisely tailored to the needs of the packaging industry. The XPlanar planar motor system with floating actuators enables wear-free product transport within the system. With speeds of up to 3 m/s and six degrees of freedom, it is designed for micrometer-precise positioning. The wide selection of XPlanar modules and moving geometries creates the foundation for customized machine designs and toolpaths in a compact footprint.
The XTS linear conveyor system boosts productivity by combining individual motion profiles with slow process steps. Software-based format changes, with no downtime, ensure exceptional adaptability. XTS Hygienic is available in a stainless steel version specifically designed to meet the demanding requirements of the pharmaceutical and food industries. The variant with the EcoLine motor module is recommended for cost-critical applications. If required, No Cable Technology (NCT) can transform passive XTS conveyor systems into self-contained mobile processing stations. Contactless power transfer and data communication directly to the systems allow conveying time to be used for parallel subtasks such as weighing, alignment, rotation, and mixing.
Control Cabinet-Free Automation
Beckhoff leverages the extraordinary potential of the MX system to reduce complexity. This modular, plug-in system for control cabinet-free automation integrates control, I/O, and drive technology directly into the machine, within a compact and robust metal housing, eliminating the need for costly control cabinets and much of the conventional wiring.
The plug-and-play architecture enables scalable solutions and quick module replacement for maintenance. Intelligent diagnostics via Bluetooth® accelerate fault detection and reduce downtime. At Interpack 2026, Beckhoff will present the new MX-System Designer web tool, which allows for structured configuration of all necessary modules and enables a technical evaluation of key aspects of the electrical system design in advance, during the planning phase.
Optimized Drive Technology
At Interpack, Beckhoff will present its cost-effective drive system, which includes servomotors, drive controllers, and inverters optimized to deliver incredibly cost-efficient drive solutions for packaging machines. The AX1000 servomotors are available in single-axis or dual-axis versions and cover a range up to 1000 W at 230 V AC and up to 1700 W at 400 V AC. The AF1000 frequency converters are designed for output power up to 5.5 kW. The high-performance AM1000 synchronous servomotors incorporate robust connectors with One Cable Technology (OCT) for quick installation. Complete system integration in TwinCAT ensures easy commissioning and comprehensive diagnostic options.
Future-proof software architecture
Furthermore, Beckhoff’s automation software ensures the future viability of advanced packaging systems and the shortest possible time to market. With TwinCAT PLC++, developers benefit from significantly improved PLC performance in both runtime and engineering, while TwinCAT MC3 optimizes CPU utilization for motion applications. Beckhoff is demonstrating the next logical step in control technology by integrating AI: TwinCAT 3 CoAgent acts as an assistant, supporting users throughout the process, from project planning and language-based code suggestions for PLCs and HMIs to AI-assisted fault diagnosis. With TwinCAT Machine Learning Creator, users can also generate powerful AI models from existing machine data and run them directly on the controller.